How Can I Make a A Perfect Circle/Tool song?
 

I need help on how to write lyrics.This is my first time and Im trying to write stuff like A Perfect Circle or Tool.So any hints and tips/ideas? thank you for your time,


Jake

Don't listen to a Tool or APC song for a week, don't think or speak of those two bands. Then write like you would write not like what APC or Tool would write.

what do you mean? explain more clearly please.:)

Write like you would write, don't try to imatate other artists.

ahhh ok. so any other tips? cause this is my first time. i usually just write music not lyrics.

Well, Maynard has a very distinctive style. Do you have songs that resemble tool/apc? Melodies?

I guess the people who say not to immitate Maynard too closely have a point, because then you get an empty shell of a song.

I guess it's good to sit down with his lyrics. Look at discussions of lyric meanings (gosh he's a cryptic one) and look at the devises he's using to convey his point. He's a pretty intelligent guy. But also pretty arrogant sounding. You may not want to be acerbic as him...or maybe you do.

Some things I have noticed. He shifts back and forth between 'persons'. say in prison sex...'do unto others what has been done to you (2nd person?)...I'm tredding water (1st person)'. So first person, almost snapshot like description, while 'do unto others....' reads something between a removed observation and the internal ramblings of his narrating character.

And he uses ALOT of symbolism. Say in 46&2, which most people agree points toward some new level of human evolution (46 chromasomes....which are in pairs, so the next stage of evolution is 46 + 2). The whole meaning of the song is pinned on that one line. Is there something kind of complex idea you want to convey? Maybe a simple metaphor could form the core of a song with the rest of lyrics pointing towards its meaning (for the benefit of all us poor saps not inside your head :D )

He's back catalogue is pretty extensive, and there just some obvious examples. Yeah deconstructing his lyrics is the best way to start: Meaning, and then the devises he uses to convey it. I hope it helps. I love tool (and don't mind apc) so if you ever wanna discuss lyrical content just pm me or whatever.

Best advice was alraedy given. Do not purposely try to copy or mimic someone else's style - be yourself. Otherwise you won't be very original.

I know alot of people will say that by emulating others you're not being yourself, but I can't disagree more. Journalists deconstruct the news to learn how to do their job. Painters, like Salvador Dali (surrealist) had to emulate the work of the realists that preceded him to produce the works he did....you get the picture...Art has progressed over time. If we didn't learn from those who preceded us it'd be like a perpetual groundhogs day...we'd get nowhere.

Pretending like we're void of history and context...it's just not true. If tool and apc inspire you, there is no shame in finding out what exactly about their lyrics inspire you (or of other bands/poets/writers). It gives you something to draw on in your own writing. Every devise you find in a song is another tool to make your own writing stronger.

Anyone who's tried to write meaningful lyrics to a song knows how daunting and difficult it is, especially at first. I'm sure this post'll incur a few boos and hisses, but I'm not trying to step on toes. I just know how tough it is writing something you can be happy with, but I'm sure you'll do great. Good luck :)

"If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of giants." (Isaac Newton)